There is a god in the sky

Chapter 329 It’s great to be young

Shen Lan was allowed to pass after only a short wait.

She walked along the bluestone path, with lush green bamboo groves on both sides and the melodious chirping of birds in the woods, creating a tranquil environment.

After walking for a while, the view suddenly opened up before me.

A vast artificial lake came into view.

The lake is teeming with life, with flocks of mandarin ducks and wild ducks, and flower girls singing and playing instruments by the lakeside. At a glance, the beautiful scenery and the beautiful women complement each other.

There was a pavilion by the lake, and Xiao Ji was standing on the second-floor railing, waving at her.

Shen Lan stepped forward and pointed to the food box in her hand.

So much time has passed, the food has long since gone cold, and she wants to find the kitchen here to reheat it.

Xiao Ji came downstairs to meet her, snatched the food box from her, and said, "It's hot, this is just right to eat."

He invited Shen Lan to come upstairs with him.

"Is Headmaster Tong here too? I'll wait for you downstairs. Call me if you need anything."

Shen Lan came in specifically to protect Xiao Ji.

Xiao Ji gently touched her hand, then held it tightly.

"No need, Headmaster Tong is also alone up there."

Shen Lan was pulled upstairs by him. When she saw that there were outsiders, she tried to pull her hand back, but found that Xiao Ji gripped it tighter and tighter.

Seeing them holding hands, Headmaster Tong smiled faintly and said, "It's so nice to be young."

Xiao Ji said shyly, "Miss Shen and I are mutually attracted, please forgive my embarrassment, senior."

"It's understandable for a young man to admire women. I heard you broke off the engagement with the Zhao family before, so this must be one of the reasons, right?"

Xiao Ji did not deny it and pulled Shen Lan to sit down.

He opened the food box and laid out the food inside.

The portion size is indeed not large, but it's fine if you just want to have a few bites.

Shen Lan moved the soup bowl in front of Xiao Ji and instructed him, "This is a soup I made by adding medicinal herbs to it. It can relieve symptoms of wind-heat."

Master Tong praised, "I had long heard that Miss Shen was not only a skilled coroner, but also an unparalleled doctor. I thought someone was exaggerating, but I never expected that I had underestimated you."

Not many people know about Shen Lan's medical skills.

But Tong Yiwen has been staying at the Crown Prince's residence for these past few days, so he must have already done all the research he needed to do. It's not surprising that he would know.

"Autopsy and medical skills have some similarities. My medical skills were honed in the countryside and I can't be considered proficient. I can only treat some minor ailments."

"Could you please take my pulse? I've been experiencing palpitations, chest tightness, loss of appetite, and difficulty sleeping at night lately."

Shen Lan was surprised that he would ask her to take his pulse.

She and Xiao Ji suspected that the old man had health problems, and took this opportunity to find out more about him.

She placed her hand on the other person's pulse and listened quietly for a moment.

"The headmaster's pulse was very steady, and he was in good health. He didn't seem to be sick."

Shen Lan withdrew her hand, a hint of doubt in her eyes.

This pulse is really strange. It's like the pulse of a young man, very steady, but not like the strong and powerful pulse of a martial artist.

"Haha, it seems that my years of health and wellness practices have been quite effective."

"Professor Tong does look much younger than his peers. I wonder if you have any secrets to staying young? I would like to learn them."

Tong Shanzhang's smile widened, and he actually started giving Shen Lan pointers.

The two chatted enthusiastically, leaving Xiao Ji standing aside.

He focused intently on his meal and quickly finished off all three dishes and the soup that Shen Lan had brought.

"Young people have good appetites, but at my age, I can't eat meat and fish anymore. I only eat wild vegetables and fruits from the mountains. Perhaps this is the reason for my health and longevity."

Shen Lan agreed with this point.

"Away from the hustle and bustle, cultivate inner peace, consume the essence of heaven and earth, and detoxify and strengthen the body. This is indeed the secret to longevity."

That being said, Shen Lan knew that eating and exercising alone could only make people live longer, not make them young.

Tong Shanzhang poured Xiao Ji a cup of tea.

The latter burped and chuckled, "I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Headmaster Tong. It's just that I can't resist the urge to eat."

"That's normal. I was the same when I was young."

He saw Xiao Ji consciously put the bowls and chopsticks into the food box, while Shen Lan didn't lift a finger the whole time, and suddenly he believed in their intimate relationship.

A man will only abandon his status and willingly become a slave in front of the woman he loves.

Although the Xiao family is a family of integrity, their relationship with the Tong family is only so-so.

Originally, the marriage alliance between the Xiao family and the Zhao family was a mutually beneficial thing, and it could also elevate the Xiao family to a higher level.

Looking back now, it would have been a good thing if he had married a woman without a good family background.

Even after leaving Jingxin Lake, Shen Lan still couldn't figure out Tong Yiwen's true purpose.

The two sides chatted happily, and if they hadn't harbored their own ulterior motives, they would have truly been like friends despite their age difference.

“He listened to me talk about many cases I encountered in Jianzhou, and even brought up the mummified corpse case. Either I was too stupid to understand his intention.”

Shen Lan shook her head, "I didn't recognize it either."

"The assassin revealed quite a bit of information at the end, but unfortunately we can't continue our investigation at Vulture Peak Mountain in the short term."

"Given his alertness, he might have already moved his position by the time we go into the mountains to investigate."

The dense forests of Jiufeng Mountain make it too easy for people to hide.

Xiao Ji leaned closer and offered a half-hearted apology: "I just told him that our relationship is very close, but I was just trying to mislead him so that he wouldn't do anything to you. Please don't mind."

Shen Lan glanced at him, pointed to his chest, and asked, "Does Lord Xiao feel pain in his heart when he lies?"

"This... really, no." Xiao Ji touched his nose. "I admit I had some selfish motives, but not many. Miss Shen is so smart that she noticed my different feelings for you so early on."

"I am deeply honored," Shen Lan said calmly.

Xiao Ji sighed.

Based on his understanding of Shen Lan, getting her to reciprocate his feelings would be an impossible task.

She was covered in a layer of hard armor, occasionally revealing a bit of softness, which she quickly withdrew.

She guarded her heart too tightly.

Xiao Ji sat up straight and said seriously, "Prince Zheng is going to the capital. I wonder if the heavens of the capital will change because of him."

"You're having more and more contact with the Second Prince. Aren't you afraid it'll all come to nothing in the end?"

"You always have to put in some effort, do your best and leave the rest to fate."

Is the Second Prince worth it?

"More worthy than the Crown Prince."

Xiao Ji recounted some events from the Second Prince's childhood. He himself had been known as a child prodigy since childhood, but he remembered that the Second Prince was also famous both inside and outside the palace for his intelligence.

However, he was later suppressed by the Crown Prince, and his talent was gradually overshadowed. No one in or outside the palace could hear any good words from the Second Prince.

Shen Lan looked at him and said softly, "My lord, you don't need to take such a risk for me. My grudge with the Crown Prince has nothing to do with you. You have relatives and family behind you. Don't easily embark on this path of no return."

Xiao Ji reached out and flicked her forehead. "You're overthinking it. I chose this path for myself."

"really?"

Do I look like someone who's blinded by lust?

Shen Lan didn't think so, and when Xiao Ji started opposing the Crown Prince, he probably hadn't fallen for her yet.

But siding with the Second Prince at this time would be too risky, with a very low chance of success.

"My relationship with the Second Prince is purely secret. He has no power, and I have no troops. There's very little we can do. It's not as dangerous as you think."

"Caution comes first."